Almost lost amid the depressing stories of teens who make poor decisions is the fact that many young people strive to do the right thing.

        Such as a girl who counsels teens about sexual abstinence and carries a Bible in her book bag. A boy who joined an emergency resources team to help flood and tornado victims. A girl who guided her family through the immigration process when they moved here from Belarus.

        They are among 40 Tristate youths, ages 12 to 18, and four adults who will be honored todayat the fifth annual YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Character Awards banquet in the Music Hall grand ballroom.

        Each was chosen for demonstrating outstanding qualities of character: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

        The event is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $50, which includes dinner. Reservations: 651-2100.

        Keynote speaker Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, will sign books for those who bring copies.

        The 2001 recipients of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Character Awards:

        Amanda Bower, 14, White Oak Middle School, is an officer in student council, president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has interests in drama and band.

        Lekeisha Britten, 15,, Colerain High School, is a volunteer at Memorial Community Center where she was a preschool student. She guides younger children through activities and helps in the office wherever needed.

        Jamie Brooks, 17, Walnut Hills High School, participates in the outreach program at Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church. She counsels students at her school on sexual abstinence. She “wears her faith on her sleeve” and carries her Bible in her backpack.

        Emerald Clay, 17, Colerain High School, is a cashier at the Northgate Kroger store. Emerald's attitude improves the environment wherever she happens to be. “Peers have all benefited from the positive influence of this hard-working, responsible and upbeat teen.”

        Emily Cool, 17, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, juggles a variety of demanding leadership roles with enthusiasm. Service to inner- city children is her special cause, and she has earned the respect and affection of fellow students and the people to whom she ministers.

        Cory Cracchiolo, 18, LaSalle High School, is a mainstay of the LaSalle theater department. He is equally successful as an honors student, soccer player, YMCA youth leader and drama camp counselor.

        Margaret Cunningham, 15, Mother of Mercy High School, is a leader at school and at church. She has traveled to Australia as a student ambassador, helped feed the homeless in Over-the-Rhine, worked with impoverished children in Texas and brightened the lives of the elderly.

        Reed Daly, 17, home-schooled, is a member of ALERT, the Christian-based Air Land Emergency Resources Team. He has worked tirelessly to help people pull their lives together in the wake of floods and tornadoes across the country.

        Elizabeth Donelan, 17, Ursuline Academy, is a mainstay of the Cincinnati Zoo summer volunteer staff. She also volunteers at the after-school program at the West End YMCA and Kids' Cafe in Over-the-Rhine.

        Reed Edmiston, 16, Beechwood High School, is a counselor at Camp Ernst, member student government and a participant in World Competition Odyssey of the Mind.

        Anna Fiskina, 17, Walnut Hills High School, guided her family through the immigration process when they moved here from Belarus six years ago. She is an invaluable volunteer to the Red Cross and Community Action Team, as well as an A student.

        Anne Garrett. 17, Ursuline Academy, is co-captain of the cheerleading team, co-editor of the school newspaper and president of student council. She is also a member of the Boy Scouts Explorer Post, a lifeguard and a volunteer at Chabad House Homeless Center.

        Montoya Gentry, 12, Hays-Porter/Washburn Elementary, reached out to other students when her school merged with two others. She helped make this year's Families FORWARD Giving Project memorable. Montoya is a big sister to the younger children in her neighborhood.

        Meghan Haynes, 17, Simon Kenton High School, is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the band. She shows an endless capacity for caring while juggling a variety of difficult and demading roles with grace and composure.

        Martha Hesch, 15, Newport High School, last year's recipient of the Newport High School Cheerleading Leadership Award, tries to make others feel they belong. She's involved in band, DARE, S.O.S., Key Club and Varsity Scholar program.

        Elizabeth Hogan, 17, Indian Hill High School, supervises a nursing home project, volunteers at Bellarmine Chapel and Montgomery Care Center and coordinates a Little League soccer program. She was an Enquirer “Hometown Hero.”

        Jon Kehrer, 17, William Henry Harrison High School, is a faithful visitor to Three Rivers Nursing home. He plays trumpet for Harrison military funerals. Jon has done mission work in Mexico and Haiti, repairing buildings and teaching Bible school.

        Mark Kinne, 16, St. Xavier High School, is a tutor and mentor at Winton Place Youth Center. He is an active member of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Youth Commission and helped orchestrate a youth rally this summer.

        Kaylan Kopp, 17, William Henry Harrison High School, is a Bible school teacher, musician, and creative contributor to her church. She studied sign language this summer for a future mission trip and hopes to become a music therapist.

        Mavis Linnemann, 16, St. Ursula Academy, volunteers with Madison Day Care and STARS, a grief support program. She is a top student, class president and contributor to her school paper.

        Jasmine K.L. Long, 16, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, is a dedicated member of Students Against Drunk Driving. She devotes time to neighborhood cleanup, clothing drives and service to soup kitchens and inner-city schools.

        Laura Marcou, 16, Winton Woods High School, a member of drama club and band, finds time for others in the English as a Second Language program. She teaches students at Greenhills Community Church.

        Joseph McLaughlin, 14, God's Bible School & College, helped his classmates prepare for a technology competition and managed to take home three awards himself. His selflessness is genuine and refreshing, and he is an exemplary student.

        J. Todd Moss Jr., 17, Glen Este High School, is dedicated to the youth group at his church. He takes special interest in helping students with learning disabilities because he has personal experience with those challenges.

        Ben Perrin, 18, Glen Este High School, is active in his church youth group, school football team and show choir. A top student, he is also first available when someone needs assistance.

        Jennifer Raabe, 15, Glen Este High School, volunteers at St. Francis Seraph Soup Kitchen. Active in her school choir and drama club, Jennifer was part of a medical mission to Mexico this summer.

        Peter Reding, 17, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, excels in academics, Boy Scouts and is leader of a school service team working with special-needs children. He organized a books-on-tape project for Children's Hospital and has participated in successful projects to benefit Stepping Stones.

        Melisha Reese, 17, Purcell Marian High School, is an academic achiever, varsity basketball player and member of student government. She is a talented drummer and tutors at an after-school program.

        Kerry Rieder, 17, Mount Notre Dame High School, is a nationally recognized athlete and member of the Blue Ash YMCA gymnastics team. She is active in her church and as a soup kitchen volunteer, leading others by example.

        Adrienne Rowe, 16, School of Creative and Performing Arts, is a Red Cross volunteer and youth speaker at Quinn Chapel AME. Her all-inclusive embrace extends to anyone who happens to need a friend.

        Jonathan Rudnick, 16, Bishop Brossart High School, is valued as an eager and unselfish team player, dedicated and honest employee and a staunch defender of those facing discrimination. Jonathan always puts his family and commitments first.

        Charles Runtz, 18, LaSalle High School, sees volunteering as a way to say thanks for gifts that others take for granted. He has volunteered at Our Daily Bread soup kitchen and Twin Towers nursing home. He also coaches youth soccer.

        Michael Schamer, 17, St. Xavier High School, cared for his dying grandmother, a responsibility that is usually reserved for older family members. He maintains top grades and holds down a part-time job. Empathy for the homeless had him sleep outdoors as part of a school project.

        Tiffany Snook, 17, Glen Este High School, would like to be a missionary. Leader of the Gift Club, a group that reaches out to students and teachers with special needs, she also ministers to the elderly in their homes and the homeless.

        Erin Tate, 17, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, is a planner and leader in service projects at school and causes that benefit youngsters. She literally talked the socks off of fellow classmates to send to orphaned children in Mexico.

        Leprecious Turner, 13, Hays-Porter/Washburn Elementary, excels in the classroom and was a founding member of a group that addresses the special needs of girls. She was a leader in uniting students when her school combined with several others in the West End.

        Yusuke Uchiyama, 14, Cincinnati Country Day School, emphasized service as student council president by raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, House of Refugee Missions, Open Door Camp and Stepping Stones. He also serves as president of the Honor Council.

        Dan Weber, 13, St. Mary Elementary School in Alexandria, was nominated for this award by his classmates. An honor roll student, he has been both scribe and patrol leader in his seven years of Boy Scouting. He was first to volunteer for a Make a Difference Day food drive.

        Chris Wera, 17, Beechwood High School, was sidelined by injury but attended the games to cheer on his baseball teammates. A member of the National Honor Society, Latin Club and student council, he donates his time to clothing drives, tutoring, and teaching basketball to younger students.

        Adam Yokel, 18, Cincinnati Country Day School, is a jack-of all trades at school and his church, Armstrong Chapel. He is a three-sport athlete, member of the Science Olympiad team, community service volunteer, student government innovator and founder of a Christian club called the Source.

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